Cal Poly Humboldt is seeking the community's input to shape McKinleyville's future growth and well-being. The university's interdisciplinary team, comprising students and faculty from various departments, is conducting a comprehensive Economic Development Study. This project aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities of McKinleyville, one of the fastest-growing communities on the North Coast.
The study's key component is a community-wide survey and focus group sessions, inviting all McKinleyville residents to participate. By engaging with the community, the researchers can gather valuable insights into economic conditions, infrastructure, community amenities, and quality-of-life factors. This data-driven approach ensures that the study's findings and recommendations are tailored to McKinleyville's specific needs.
Josh Zender, the project lead and professor at Cal Poly Humboldt, emphasizes the importance of this collaboration: "This project offers McKinleyville residents a unique chance to actively shape their community's future. By combining interdisciplinary expertise and local partnerships, we can unite diverse voices and applied research to inform economic development effectively."
The study's findings will be presented in a five-year economic strategic plan, shared with community partners. Once completed in the Fall 2026 term, all recommendations will be reviewed and approved by the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee. This process ensures that the community's input is central to the decision-making process and that the study's outcomes are aligned with McKinleyville's unique character and priorities.
To participate, residents can complete the online survey at https://tinyurl.com/McK-survey. Cal Poly Humboldt encourages broad participation to ensure the study reflects the diverse experiences, needs, and aspirations of all McKinleyville residents.
